This important map highlights the frantic desire and search for the north west passage. It shows a few settlements and mountains in Russia, north west America and Canada, but it mostly displays various, and largely mythological lakes and rivers that show one direct and two other possible water routes between the Atlantic and the Pacific Ocean. The routes of various Russian explorers, such as Tchirikow, Frondat, and Bering, appear accompanied by notes and dates of their discoveries. The route and discoveries of the mythical Admiral de Fonte feature prominently as well, also accompanied by notes. An inset map entitled "Carte Dressée sur la Lettre de l'Amiral de Fonte par l'Ecrivain de la Californie" sits in the upper left corner.

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Map compiled by Denis Diderot and Robert De Vaugondy based on, and mostly a direct copy of, the map of Joseph Nicolas de L'Isle in 1752.

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